Comments on Russian and Iran oil purchases were wrong: Ram Madhav clarifies after controversy over remarks

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) following controversial remarks by senior BJP leader Ram Madhav on India’s oil imports and trade stance.

In a post on X, Gandhi dubbed the RSS as the “Rashtriya Surrender Sangh”, alleging that Madhav’s comments had exposed the organisation’s “true nature”. “Farzi nationalism in Nagpur. Pure servility in USA,” he wrote, adding that the remarks reflected a pattern the Opposition has long criticised.

The controversy stems from comments made by Madhav during an interactive session at the Hudson Institute in Washington, where he spoke about India’s trade and geopolitical decisions. Referring to tariffs and oil imports, Madhav suggested that India had exercised restraint, stating, “We agreed to a 50 per cent tariff… we maintained our patience,” and added that India had also accepted higher tariffs in a new trade deal.